McIlroy Honored Again, Joined by Lewis & Langer as GWAA's Players of the Year


Rory McIlroy has swept the 2014 players-of-the-year awards. After being named the top golfer of the year by the PGA Tour, PGA of America, European Tour and the Association of Golf Writers, a group of European golf scribes, the 26-year-old from Northern Ireland was named the Player of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America.

McIlroy is joined in the GWAA's annual honors by Stacy Lewis on the LPGA Tour and Champions Tour's Bernhard Langer. Each of the players was selected by significant margins.

McIlroy, who won two majors - the British Open and PGA Championship - received 94 percent of the vote by members of the GWAA en route to being named its Male Player of the Year Award.

"Truly a great honor for me," said McIlroy, who also won the association's top honor in 2012. "This award is testimony to my best year as a professional golfer and something I can aim toward winning again as I go into next season."

Lewis, a three-time winner in 2014, received 57 percent of the ballots, edging New Zealand's Lydia Ko and U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie in the GWAA's Female Player of the Year vote. The 29-year-old Lewis led the season's money list, had the low scoring average, and was tops in the Rolex Player of the Year standings.

"It is tough to win one, let alone all three," said Lewis, who also won the award in 2012. "It's a true honor to be recognized by as GWAA Player of the Year for the second time."

The 57-year-old Langer simply dominated the Champions Tour in 2014. He garnered 90 percent of the vote for Senior Player of the Year. The German secured five titles, including two majors - the Senior Players Championship and the Senior British Open. He won the latter event by a record 13 strokes, and sewed up the Schwab Cup well before the season ended.

"To receive the Senior Player of the Year Award is a great honor and a blessing," said Langer, also the 2010 winner.

The three recipients will be honored at the 43rd GWAA Annual Awards Dinner April 8 in Augusta, Ga.

About the GWAA

Founded in 1946, the 850-member Golf Writers Association of America, Inc., takes an active role in protecting the interests of all golf journalists, works to improve press facilities and works closely with all of golf's major governing bodies and the World Golf Hall of Fame.